Shelter dogs need all the help they can get, whether that’s a friendly face in an unfamiliar place, assistance getting matched with new pet parents, or patience while adjusting to their forever home’s rhythms and routines. Sometimes, all they need is a lift…in the sky…in an airplane. That’s where Pet Rescue Pilots, a nonprofit that flies pets from overcrowded shelters to their forever homes for free, comes in. The organization just made a valiant show of support for senior dogs, a much-neglected demographic among pups seeking forever homes.
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s…Senior Dogs!
On Nov. 5, the nonprofit gave 23 senior dogs a plane ride from Los Angeles to Eugene, Oregon — an 856-mile trip — so they could meet their new foster parents and settle into their forever homes. “Senior,” for the purposes of this flight, meant any canine 7 years or older. Many were strays that had been taken in by various shelters in rural California. They were greeted on the ground in Oregon by four local rescue organizations.
Among the inspiring stories from the trip was that of a 7-year-old Dachshund named Izzy. One of his parents died and the other entered assisted living, leaving Izzy with nowhere to go. A fellow four-legged passenger named Mikey was missing his teeth. Then there was Ruffles, a 7-year-old, who was a little hesitant about the whole airplane thing. But on the other side of the intimidating flight were adoring dog parents. They had their arms ready and eager to snuggle them.
Age Is Just a Number
The nonprofit planned the flight in honor of Adopt a Senior Pet Month, which takes place every November.
If you’re considering adopting a(nother) pup and are wary of senior dogs, Elizabeth Thompson of the Oregon Coast Humane Society says you shouldn’t be.
“When a pet is more predictable, as is the case with senior dogs, their placement also tends to be more successful,” Thompson said in a statement. “And we find that the energy level and personalities of senior shelter pets works well with our own senior community of fosters and adopters.”
Sadly, people are less likely to adopt senior dogs from shelters. According to Pet Rescue Pilots, the adoption rate of senior dogs is only 25%. Puppies, on the other hand, boast a 60% adoption rate.
That’s why organizations like the Grey Muzzle Organization exist. Its mission is to create a world where “every senior dog thrives and no old dog dies alone and afraid.”
It has donated $3.8 million in grants to make that vision a reality, including funding this flight for senior dogs.
“Many senior dogs from rural California shelters are enjoying their golden years in loving homes thanks to the wonderful work of Pet Rescue Pilots and their rescue network,” Lisa Lunghofer, executive director of Grey Muzzle Organization, said in a statement.
In conclusion, with a little bit of luck and a lot of loving advocacy from people on the ground, the dreams of finding caring homes will hopefully take flight for these senior pups.
